More wildflowers in winter bloom – but is that a good thing?
SURVEY ANALYSES IMPACT OF CHANGING WEATHER
A RECORD number of wildflowers were found to be in bloom this winter, according to a survey by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. The 10th New Year Plant Hunt saw more than 1,800 people across the UK record flora.
The project, which ran between January 1 and 4, helps botanists establish a clearer picture of how wildflowers are responding to changes in autumn and winter weather patterns.
Loughborough doctoral geography student Ellen Goddard was responsible for analysing the results. The report found 710 plant species were recorded in bloom across Britain and Ireland, compared with 615 last year and 627 in 2019. Ellen said: “Wildflowers are crucial for our insect pollinators, providing them with nectar and pollen as food.
“We are seeing fluctuations on the number of wildflowers flowering over the new year that appears to be linked to changes in weather patterns, with warmer temperatures leading up to the new year having a higher number of species flowering. “Changes in flowering times may influence how well our pollinators do, as traditionally insects emerge alongside key flowering species.
“Further research is needed to see if we are seeing the same shift in pollinator emergence as we are seeing in flowering plants. 2021 has been a record-breaking year, with more species recorded in bloom.
“We have also seen a change in the way people took part in the hunt this year, with organised group hunts cancelled.”
The most frequently seen species were daisy, groundsel, dandelion and annual meadow-grass.
Kevin Walker, BSBI head of science, said: “We can’t say for sure yet what impacts changes in flowering times will have on associated wildlife, but we can see weather patterns are changing and our plants, native and non-native, are responding.”
We are seeing fluctuations on the number of wildflowers flowering over the new year that appears to be linked to changes in weather patterns